Astros 3 - 4 Athletics
Final
  for this game

Donaldson sends A's past Astros

Apr 17, 2013 - 7:09 AM

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Oakland, CA (Sports Network) - Josh Donaldson's two-out triple in the eighth inning plated Josh Reddick to give the Oakland Athletics a 4-3 win over the Houston Astros at O.co Coliseum.

After Reddick drew a two-out walk, Donaldson lifted a 3-2 offering high down the right field line. Astros right fielder Rick Ankiel made a play on the ball but it landed inches from foul territory.

"Can't defend a ball that lands in fair territory by two or three inches," said Astros manager Bo Porter. "Fortunate for them, the ball landed in fair territory and its a triple and an RBI."

Grant Balfour shut the door in the ninth for his second save of the season.

Eric Sogard went 3-for-3 and finished a home run shy of the cycle for Oakland, which has won 11 of 13 after dropping its first two games of the season.

"The staff and everyone here takes pride in playing good defense," said Donaldson. "We want to be back there for our pitchers."

A.J. Griffin struck out eight and allowed two runs in six innings of work for the Athletics. Sean Doolittle (1-0), who allowed a game-tying home run to Carlos Pena in the top of the eighth inning, picked up the win.

Rhiner Cruz (0-1) was on the hill for Donaldson's game-winner.

Houston struck first when Justin Maxwell knocked in Marwin Gonzalez with a single up the middle in the top of the third inning. Jose Altuve, who had two hits on the afternoon, came around on a Chris Carter single later in the inning to give the Astros a 2-0 advantage.

The A's got one back in the fourth when Brad Peacock, who struck out seven in 4 1/3 innings, sent a wild pitch past catcher Jason Castro. Chris Young came around to score on the play.

Oakland took its first lead of the night next stanza on an RBI triple from Coco Crisp and single by Seth Smith, who got the start for the injured Yoenis Cespedes.

Pena's home run in the top of the eighth knotted things up until Donaldson won it for Oakland in the bottom of the frame.

Game Notes

Altuve hit 2-for-3 with a run ... Rick Ankiel and J.D. Martinez each went 0- for-4 with three strikeouts ... Dallas Keuchel tossed three scoreless innings in relief for Houston ... Crisp, Sogard and Donaldson each belted their first triples of the year.






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